Abstract

The Barbara Cook papers predominantly document Barbara Cook's career in the Dean of Women and Dean of Students office and as professor of education at Purdue University (1956 - 1989), including her leadership roles in Mortar Board and NAWDAC -- National Association of Women Deans, Administrators, and Counselors. Types of material include correspondence, speeches, teaching material, articles and essays, and biographical information.

Scope and Contents of the Materials

The Barbara Cook papers (1932 – 2012; 9 cubic feet) documents the life and work of Barbara Cook, predominately concerning her work as a student personnel administrator and instructor at Purdue University. Cooks collection of research files and essays on women’s issues, especially in regards to education, could be useful for any researcher interested in feminist movements of the 1960s and 1970s. The two “student unrest” binders of Series 8 provide thorough documentation of the various clashes between students and administration during the turbulent years of 1968 – 1969. Researchers interested in the profession of student administration will find much of value in the Barbara Cook papers, including documentation on the Syracuse University Student Dean program she attended in 1952, the Education courses she taught in the 1980s on student administration, and speeches she gave to various student groups in her role as an administrator. Types of materials include: correspondence, speech notes, dissertations, photographs, research files, scrapbooks, artifacts, and ephemera.

Biographical Note

Born in 1929, Barbara Cook came to Purdue in 1956 as a counselor in the Office of the Dean of Women. She received her BA in Sociology from the University of Arkansas in 1951, a M.A. in Student Personnel Administration from Syracuse University in 1954, a Ph.D. in Counseling and Personnel Services from Purdue University in 1967 as well as an honorary doctorate from Purdue University in 1996. One of her early responsibilities as councilor in the Dean’s office involved serving as an advisor to Mortar Board, a senior-student honor society over which she presided for nearly thirty years. Cook also served as director of the Placement Service for Women, assistant and associate Dean of Women, associate Dean of Students, and, from 1980-1987, Dean of Students. She was a lecturer in the School of Education starting in 1970, and a professor of education from 1987-1989. Nationally recognized for her efforts in promoting career opportunities for women, Cook served in several positions within the National Association of Women Deans, Administrators, and Councilors (NAWDAC) including serving as President from 1975 – 1976. She is also the recipient of numerous awards for her work, including the Helen B. Schleman Gold Medallion for Distinguished Contributions to Purdue University, the Dean Beverley Stone Award for Personal Counseling Contributions, and the Distinguished Lifetime Mortar Board Member Award. Since her retirement in 1989, Barbara Cook has been an active member of the Lafayette community and involved with many organizations, including the Salvation Army, Greater Lafayette YWCA, West Lafayette Redevelopment Commission, and the Indiana Governor's Commission for Women. In 2004, a sculpture entitled "When Dreams Dance" was dedicated to Cook and her late colleague and friend, Beverley Stone. It is located in between Schleman and Hovde Halls. Today, the current chapter of the Purdue Mortar Board is named in Cook's honor, who advised the group from 1956-1986.

Use Restrictions:
Purdue University per deed of gift. The copyright ofsome items in this collection may be held by their respective creators. Consult an archivist for details.

Acquisition Source:
Betty Nelson donation

Related Materials:

Barbara Cook had close ties to three other Deans of Women: Dorothy Stratton, Helen Schleman, and Beverley Stone. More personal photos, correspondence, and other materials relating to Cook can be found in those collections. In addition, the Dean of Women/Dean of Students collection contains official correspondence and annual reports produced by Cook while serving as Dean of Students.